Author: Shayan Dalangkur Simon
Amnesty International Haiti Initiative Fellow
#Haiti #FanmAyisien
During 16 days of action against gender-based violence, we honor the advocacy of Haitian women and the critical role they play as diaspora. Against the backdrop of ongoing crises and colonial legacies at home and anti-Black and anti-Haitian racism abroad, they continue to fight systemic corruption, impunity, AIDS, HIV and gender discrimination, while championing women, girls and immigrants rights, citizenship, and economic security for themselves and their families.
Escalating violence in Haiti over the past few years has resulted in the deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM), which has provided limited information on its procedures, structures and accountability mechanisms for human rights violations. Given the disturbing history of abuses and impunity stemming from past multinational or foreign interventions in Haiti, including the United Nations Stabilization Mission, Amnesty International urges civil society and human rights defenders to take action at every step of deployment and implementation human rights safeguards, increased transparency and effective participation.
Amnesty International therefore amplifies the vision and demands of 10 female Haitian defenders working in different contexts, whose experiences are crucial to ensuring change in Haiti guarantees human rights for all.
Pervasive violence disproportionately affects women, girls and children, making feminist and women-led organizations important actors, particularly those providing shelter and protection in frontline responses.
Regarding immigrants and returnees, Katia Bonté, director of the Groupe d’Appui aux Rapatries et Refugies (GARR), a rights organization for deportees, elaborated on the authorities’ responsibilities:
“this [MSSM] Following […] As the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti cholera spreads, killing ten thousand Haitians, and peacekeepers are not put on trial in Haiti to hold people accountable… Essentially, the Haitian government needs a document with established protocols, responsibilities, and consequences For wrongdoing.
Novia Augustin is the founder and director of Ref-Haïti, an organization that operates safe houses and provides services to sex workers, people living with HIV, and Providing support and advocacy for LGBTI and other marginalized women. She is concerned about the impact of MSSM on the human rights work of community-led civil society organizations, which perform state functions. Groups are concerned that there may be a lack of accountability within MSSM and that protections need to be provided to ensure that civil society groups, particularly women’s and feminist groups, are part of the solution, rather than overly relying on prevention and protection from violations.
Groups are concerned that there may be a lack of accountability within MSSM and that protections need to be provided to ensure that civil society groups, particularly women’s and feminist groups, are part of the solution, rather than over-reliance on prevention and protection from violations
Novia Augustin, founder and director of Ref-Haiti
For now, groups like hers say: “The Haitian government has a responsibility to work with Kenya to prevent human rights abuses, but we continue to condemn the violence, advocate and assist victims.”
Pascale Solages is the co-founder and general coordinator of Nègès Mawon, a Haitian feminist organization that fights for the rights and freedoms of Haitian women. The organization created Sisterhood: a program that provides multidimensional services to survivors of gender-based violence, including legal, financial, medical and psychological support. Thorakis made it clear: “Haitian women are actors, leaders and survivors. Not just victims of violence and migrants fleeing their homes.
Haitian women are actors, leaders, and survivors. Not just victims of violence and migrants fleeing their homess
Pascale Solages, co-founder and general coordinator of Nègès Mawon
The TOYA Foundation is committed to training girls to be leaders, supporting their projects and valuing their community initiatives, Executive Director Nadine Louis also noted:
“[t]The biggest obstacle to progress [my] Haiti’s work is a long-term impunity sanctioned by the justice system […]. A comprehensive approach is needed to support victims of sexual violence. The authorities must take responsibility […] By mobilizing ethical professionals such as lawyers, judging perpetrators and providing protection to those who make complaints.
The human rights protection and liberation of all women will be achieved. Regine is General Coordinator of the Movement for the Integration and Emancipation of Women with Disabilities (MIEFH) and is a wheelchair user who works with disabled women to challenge and respond to disability policy and practice. She pointed out:
“Women with disabilities in Haiti face many challenges that have been exacerbated by the sociopolitical crisis and the proliferation of armed gangs, leading to mass displacement, increased financial vulnerability, and a lack of social inclusion and accessibility. MIEFH seeks to help Strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations and promote social inclusion measures to alleviate these difficulties.
Women with disabilities in Haiti face numerous challenges exacerbated by the sociopolitical crisis (…) MIEFH seeks to alleviate these difficulties by strengthening the capacity of civil society organizations and promoting social inclusion measures
Regine, General Coordinator, MIEFH
Likewise, Hetera Estimphil, president of KOURAJ, Haiti’s first LGBTQIA+ rights organization fighting gender-based violence and discrimination, spoke of the disparate impact of widespread violence. The effects of insecurity do not discriminate:
“Due to one’s marginalized background and lack of education, you become a victim twice, and this is exacerbated by the lack of an effectively functioning government. I believe that once security issues are addressed, such as ending gun trafficking, Change happens when the Haitian National Police provides technical assistance and equipment.
Rights defenders point out that rights protection begins with, rather than ends with, curbing violence, as ensuring a life free of violence requires addressing multiple social, economic, cultural and political factors. On this line, Daphné Valmond Bourgoin founded Tisaksuk, a company that promotes and sells “Made in Haiti” products. She is the executive director of Atelier Tisaksuk, an organization that provides training and job creation for Haitians, and is an anti-corruption activist with Nou Pap Domi, one of the leading organizations in the 2018 “KotKobPetwoKaribe” anti-corruption campaign. Together with Pascale Solages in Nègès Mawon, she provides safe houses and vocational training for female survivors of violence.
“Despite the challenges and risks, my actions are driven by a commitment to justice and change in Haiti. Corruption and impunity stifle opportunity, but empowering individuals, especially youth and women, can spark the change needed. Haitians should be Your country thrives, not just survives.
Despite the challenges and risks, my activism is driven by a commitment to justice and change in Haiti. Corruption and impunity stifle opportunities, but empowering individuals, especially youth and women, can trigger the changes needed. Haitians deserve to thrive in their country, not just survive
Daphné Valmond, Tisaksuk Director and Nou Pap Domi activist
Mutchi Obas, executive director of Zantray Fanm Kreyol (ZAFAK), a feminist organization that fights for the socioeconomic and political emancipation of Haitian women and is dedicated to helping women and children affected by violence, claims: “Women are not only in public Restricted, territory, but deprived of ownership of their body, e.g. [the case of] Abortion, whether for rape, incest or personal reasons. But we must make laws about inclusivity because most laws are based on the exclusion and discrimination of women. After college, Mucci returned to Haiti, where she opened her own mental health and holistic wellness clinic as a survivor of abuse.
Likewise, Nathalie Vilgrain, co-founder of the feminist and political organization Marijàn, added:
“Unfortunately, women are the most disadvantaged [the instability in Haiti]and see their rights eroded every day. The international community must pay attention to Haitian feminists and human rights activists and put their voices at the center of discussions. There must be a Haitian solution to the Haitian crisis because imposed solutions never work.
Unfortunately, women are the most disadvantaged [the instability in Haiti]and see their rights eroded every day. The international community must pay attention to Haitian feminists and human rights campaigners and put their voices at the center of discussions
Nathalie Vilgrain, co-founder of Marijàn
Carine Jocelyn founded the Haitian Women’s Collective (HWC), a network of 20 local partners led primarily by Haitian women that provide education, youth services, civic engagement, leadership training for girls, sexual and reproductive health, and economic development. Regarding MSSM, she emphasized:
“There needs to be a confidential complaints mechanism, the involvement of civil society, the rehabilitation of youth gang members, and community centers to support women and girls who are victims of violence. Overall, the United States has the ability to stop gun trafficking and support localization in Haiti develop goals and contest anti-racist policies.
During these 16 days of action against gender-based violence, Amnesty International recognizes the important work and legacy of these Haitian female human rights defenders and highlights It calls for any lasting solution to the country’s crisis to be Haitian-led and involve the effective participation of feminist human rights defenders and organizations.
